The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that it will resume its suspended nationwide strike if Dangote Group fails to comply with the terms of the recently brokered agreement.
The union said its National Executive Council (NEC) resolved to suspend the action after government intervention but emphasized that any breach would trigger an immediate return to industrial action.
PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, explained that the strike was initiated following the dismissal of over 800 workers of Dangote Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Limited who subscribed to join the union.
He described the dismissals as an attack on workers’ rights and a breach of Nigeria’s obligations under International Labour Organisation conventions.
According to him, PENGASSAN’s primary demand was the reinstatement of the affected workers, but government instead secured a redeployment arrangement within other subsidiaries of the Dangote Group.
Osifo noted that the union reluctantly accepted the compromise, while stressing that the most important outcome is the immediate restoration of the workers’ livelihoods.
Osifo stated that PENGASSAN would not allow unfulfilled promises or prolonged delays to undermine the agreement.
“We suspended the action in good faith to respect government. But the moment we detect any foul play or gimmicks, we will return to the trenches immediately,” he said.
The union maintained that its priority is safeguarding workers’ welfare while holding management accountable for commitments made during the negotiation process.